A new survey found that the percentage of federal employees allowed to access Facebook and other social networking sites more than doubled compared to last year; for contractors, is this a new opportunity to reach potential customers or to cross ethical boundaries?

A survey of 3,000 federal employees released by Chantilly-based Market Connections Inc. found that 46 percent of respondents are allowed to access social networking sites at work, compared to only 20 percent in 2010. In terms of actual usage, 20 percent log in to their Facebook accounts at least once a day and — of that group — 45 percent use it for both personal and work reasons (another 6 percent for work only). Specifically, they use Facebook for work-related research, to communicate with colleagues, citizens and agencies, and to recruit.

Other social networking sites noted by respondents to a lesser degree include YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter, among others.

So how might this be valuable to contractors? The most appealing (and obvious) scenario may also be the most risky: interaction. In theory, social networks provide a quick and easy way to "get in front of the customer" or even establish a relationship with a potential one. But where's the ethical line? Could you "friend" a federal procurement officer, or does that pose a conflict of interest? Could the actual content of your interactions be fodder for protests?

In February, the Office of Management and Budget released a memo that instructs federal agencies to work more closely with their contractors during the process of technology acquisition and busts the myths that have prevented them from doing so up until now. OMB noted, for example, that government officials can generally meet one-on-one with potential industry partners as long as no contractor receives preferential treatment; so couldn't a similar scenario be extended to interactions in cyberspace?

It's a slippery slope that will no doubt get addressed sooner rather than later.